Master’s in Global Infectious Disease Program

The Master of Science in Global Infectious Disease program aims to significantly contribute to a world where infectious disease ceases to be a public health threat and graduates are ready to work with complex disease prevention and control in an increasingly interconnected world.

Program Concentrations

In one of two concentrations, students learn multiple approaches to global infectious disease problems including life science research, mathematical modeling of outbreaks, epidemiology of pandemics, and diplomacy to advance health outcomes.

Modeling and Informatics

The Modeling and Informatics concentration builds knowledge and skills in epidemiology, disease modeling, and applied data analytics. Coursework will build on foundational science to emphasize the quantitative science behind infectious disease threats and using data science tools and methods to address them. Students will assess how study design impacts the choice of statistical tests, how to interpret results of tests and models, and how to use data (including ’big data’) from public health or clinical settings.

Upon degree completion, students will be able to: understand mechanisms and interactions of disease transmission, methods for disease prevention and control,  describe and analyze human population disease patterns, and identify determinants and public health impact of infectious disease threats and responses.

Graduates will be smart producers and consumers of infectious disease data and prepared to collaborate effectively with policy makers. The concentration supports career paths that require, or benefit from, individuals who are data and evidence-literate for effective disease preparedness, response, and control – in private and pubic domains.

Science and Policy

The Science Policy concentration emphasizes knowledge and skill development to understand, identify, develop, implement, and evaluate policies and their instruments for infectious disease challenges. Coursework will build on foundational science to develop skills in policy analysis through methods and topics including domestic and international decision-making bodies, political theory, critical analysis tools, case studies of policy-level interventions, and related areas of diplomacy, economics, health governance and financing.

Upon degree completion, students will be able to understand mechanisms and interactions involved in disease transmission and methods for disease prevention and control, utilize key methodologies for policy analysis, develop policy options, and assess evidence to support policy decisions. They will also recognize and address ethical issues in global infectious disease, including research conduct, population interventions, and policy decisions.

This concentration will support career pursuits that require, or would benefit from, individuals who are policy-literate in infectious disease preparedness, response, and control, and who can analyze and develop effective policy approaches.

Program Curriculum

Core Courses

The M.S. in Global Infectious Disease is a 30-credit Master’s degree consisting of Core courses, Concentration, and Elective Courses. Core Courses (taken by all students) make up 18 credits of the academic program and consist of:

1. GLID 5000: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Infectious Disease (3 Credits)
2. GLID 5001: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Infectious Disease II (3 Credits)
3. Infection & Immunity Course Requirement – Multiple Options dependent on student background including one of the three
   • MICB 6120: Immunology (3 Credits)
   • MICB 6290: Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (3 Credits)
   • BHTS 6515/CBTA 6515: Microbiological Threat Agents (3 Credits)
4. GLOH 5503: Epidemiology Methods (2 Credits)
5. GLID 5011: Research Ethics & Methods in Infectious Disease (2 Credits)
6. GLID 5020: Evidence for Infectious Disease Policy (3 Credits)
7. GLID 7990: Capstone (2 Credits) 

Concentration and Elective Courses

These courses are concentration-specific and make up 12 credits of the academic program:

Science Policy

1. GLID 5030: Global Health Security & Diplomacy (3 Credits)
2. GLID 6020: Policy Analysis for GLID (3 Credits)
3. GLOH 5517: Health Economics & Financing (3 Credits)
4. 3-Credit Elective

Modeling & Informatics

1. GLID 6010: Analytic Methods in Epidemiology (3 Credits)
2. GLID 5522: Modeling Populations & Diseases (3 Credits)
3. Math 5200: Mathematical & Statistical Computing (3 Credits)
4. 3-Credit Elective

*Review a list of course descriptions.

Program Schedule and Duration

The M.S. in Global Infectious Disease is designed to accommodate full time students and part time students who may opt to continue working while pursuing their studies. This makes the program a great option for candidates in the Washington D.C. area who are looking for a convenient way to obtain their post graduate degree.

The M.S. in Global Infectious Disease program can generally be completed in three semesters, and a maximum of six semesters (three academic years).

Students are able to complete the program via: